About

RISO means “ideal.”

(And we really mean it.)

The founder of RISO, Noboru Hayama, chose the name of his company for a good reason. It’s Japanese for “ideal.”

RISO strives to create fundamentally unique new technologies in paper-based communication through an approach that emphasizes productivity, cost containment, and versatility. Every product we manufacture delivers these benefits in a balance that offers the ideal solution to our customers.

At the same time, RISO carries on a tradition of caring for the world at large through our environmental and community support programs. Just as we are committed to delivering the ideal products and service, we strive to be an ideal corporate citizen in every country in which we conduct business.

Click here to see a short video on our company’s history.

The Global Leader in Digital-Duplicating Technology

In 2016, RISO, Inc. celebrates its 30th anniversary in the U.S. RISO’s tradition of innovation in both technology and service continues to fuel the expansion of our product line and our base of loyal customers.

Since RISO was founded in Tokyo in 1954, our company has thrived on creativity. RISO has repeatedly developed the world’s best solutions to a variety of specialized sectors in document printing and duplicating. We are still the world leader in digital duplicating technology, and we are rapidly building our market share in digital laser and inkjet printing solutions for business. RISO products are now sold in over 150 countries.

The United States Headquarters is located in Burlington, Massachusetts. You’ll find our solutions in the most demanding business environments across the globe.

Principles for Progress

We are committed to act in accordance with and take ownership for the following set of operating principles. We do this in the belief that to do so is in the best interests of our customers, our company, and ourselves.

Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of our success as a company. We will each be ambassadors of RISO and will always communicate positively within and outside the workplace. We will take ownership for customer issues and will ensure that they are followed to satisfactory resolution.

Accountability

We will do what we say we will do, when we say we will do it. We will take ownership for supporting and following through on company objectives and will accept accountability for our actions without casting blame.

Integrity

We will act with honesty and with the highest degree of integrity with our customers and with each other. Our decisions and actions will always reflect ethical practices and will be in the best interests of the company and our customers.

Responsiveness

We will act with a sense of urgency. We will respond to our customers’ and our colleagues’ needs promptly and honor our commitments. Our style will always be to listen carefully as we determine a best course of action.

Embracing Change

We will readily embrace change and will proactively and continuously identify opportunities for improvement. The marketplace is the driving force behind company strategies and objectives.

Value through Sales

Our success is achieved through the sale of our products. All of our collective actions and practices are intended to bring value to our customers through the appropriate matching of our products and services with the customer’s needs for improved productivity, versatility, and cost control.

History of Innovation

September 1946
Noboru Hayama opens Riso-sha, a mimeographic printing shop, in Tokyo.

September 1948
Company name changes to RISO Printing Company.

March 1952
RISO imports the first type printing equipment in Japan from the United Kingdom.

January 1955
Company name changes to RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION (“Ideal Science”).

July 1965
Kasumigaura Plant completed, starts operations in August.

June 1969
Sales offices open in Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.

September 1977
First Print Gocco model, the B6, marketed.

June 1980
First Printer-Duplicator model, the AP7200, marketed.

October 1981
Tsukuba Plant starts operations.

December 1984
RISO Educational Foundation established.

January 1986
RISO, Inc., the first overseas subsidiary, established in the United States. Ube Plant completed.

August 1986
First digital Printer-Duplicator model, the Digital 007, marketed.

April 1989
RISO EUROPE LTD. established in the United Kingdom.

October 1989
Listed over the counter in Japan.

December 1989
RISO (Deutschland) GmbH established.

January 1990
RISO Publisher System introduced.

April 1991
RISO FRANCE S.A. established.

May 1992
RISO (U.K.) LTD. established.

January 1993
RISO IBERICA S.A. established.

April 1993
RISO HONG KONG LTD. established.

June 1993
RISO CANADA, Inc. established.

July 1994
RISO CHINA LTD. established in Hong Kong.

November 1994
RISO (Thailand) LTD. established. Printer-Duplicator GR series introduced.

February 1995
RISO AFRICA (PTY) LTD. established.

June 1995
Printer-Duplicator TR series introduced.

February 1997
SC3000 series system controller introduced.

May 1997
SC7000 series system controller introduced.

November 1997
TM5000 sorter introduced. NC Numbering System introduced. Printer-Duplicator GR3770, the first 600 dpi duplicator introduced.

February 1998
AR8000 envelope/card feeder introduced.

January 1999
CR system introduced

February 1999
SC7700 System Controller , a top-of-the-line high speed RIP that processes data directly to the Printer-Duplicator for fast printing, introduced. Industry-first capability of scanning from any desktop on the network, doubling its value to users.

May 2001
RISO’s new RP3700 high-speed digital printer-duplicator debuts at Gutenberg Festival.

September 2001
RISO’s breakthrough Zykros technology enables imaging and printing of multiple colors in a single pass.

May 2002
RISO, Inc. signed an agreement with Lexmark under which RISO, Inc. will integrate several of the newest Lexmark multifunction printers (MFPs), software developed by both Lexmark and RISO, and RISO’s own printing systems as part of a suite of integrated document management solutions.

September 2004
RISO, Inc. introduces Solutions Assess Express – A New System that Offers Economical Basic Automated Testing Package For Individual Schools.

October 2004
RISO, Inc. unveils its new HC5000 Full Color ComColor Printer.

October 2004
RISO, Inc.,introduces a new series of Printer-Duplicators, the RZ series. The series incorporates the latest in technological advances and breakthroughs in digital duplicating technology.

April 2005
RISO celebrates its 25th year of selling digital duplicators.

2005
Launched the HC5500 inkjet printer (capable of printing on card stock and envelopes).

2007
Launched the RISO CZ Series. Significant advances made in R & D leading to the launch of the ComColor Product Line – 5 models of High Speed, Full Color, Inkjet Production Systems and commercial-grade accessories.

2009
Launched the ComColor Product Line.

2013
Launched the ComColor X1 Series and new accessories, with enhancements to image quality and productivity.

2013
Launched Print to Mail Solution (Envelope Wrapping Finisher) and Perfect Binder to address specific market needs.

December 2014
Launched the ME 9450 Two-Color Digital Duplicator.

January 2015
Launched the SE 9480 High Speed Digital Duplicator.

January 2016
RISO, Inc. celebrates its 30th year of incorporation.

June 2016
Launched the ComColor FW series of inkjet printer.

September 2016
Launched the SF series of Digital Duplicator.

February  2017
Launched the ComColor GD series of inkjet printer.

August 2019
Launched the VALEZUS T2100 inkjet printer.

January  2020
RISO celebrates its 15th year of selling inkjet printers.